Resident Evil 2 is getting a 'ground up' remake

After a fan-made remake of gaming classic Resident Evil 2 prompted Capcom to announce an official version, many presumed it would be along the lines of the earlier retools of the horror series.

It's an impression Capcom even seemed to reinforce in its most recent investor briefing, saying the game would be a "remake". However, Capcom UK's senior marketing director Stuart Turner clarified on Twitter that it "will be a full from the ground up remake NOT a remaster".

Advertisement

The upcoming re-release of overlooked classic Resident Evil 0 and the HD version of the very first game before it were only remasters. They took the original version and presented them in high-def, with an option of widescreen or original aspect ratio views, and updated controls to something a bit more modern than the original turn-face-walk scheme.

Otherwise, they were largely untouched, although the first Resident Evil in HD was itself based on an enhanced GameCube release from 2002, rather than the 1996 PlayStation version.

For Resident Evil 2, expect a total overhaul, likely involving new character models and full 3D environments -- in short, something similar to Square Enix's plan for remaking Final Fantasy VII, although in that case the game won't be a direct retelling. Whether Capcom choose to deviate from the events of RE2 will likely remain under wraps for a good while yet.

The investor briefing now reads "We have also decided to create a full remake version of Resident Evil 2", though no release date was given. Capcom did note that its sales were up overall, with stronger than expected sales of Resident Evil 6 partly to thank. Solid performance of its pachislo (Japan's answer to slot machine gambling cabinets) divisions also helped.

Advertisement

Resident Evil 2, originally released in 1998, followed rookie police recruit Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, a college student searching for her brother Chris, one of the heroes in the first game. It became an instant hit, and remains for many fans the high-point of the series.

The fan remake, by Invader Games, rebuilt the game using Unreal Engine 4, and was looking impressive from early builds. Although Capcom shut the team down, they invited the indie group to meet and discuss the project. Invader said Capcom's approach was "extremely promising, [with] new features and additions that we're sure will satisfy both old and new fans of this saga."

Capcom's Resi 2 Remake will be developed by its R&D Division 1 team, and produced by long-time series mainstay Yoshiaki Hirabayashi. A director or writer on the game has not yet been announced.